Only seven days into 2016, not too late I hope to wish you all a Happy New Year! I’m a straggler, always it seems…
Bogged down with other, behind-blog ‘stuff’ at the moment and finding it pretty impossible to get moving here, nevertheless, I hope to catch up with you all as soon as I can. I plan my first, ‘proper’ post next week in which I hope to share my thoughts about three years of blogging. How did that happen? I have no idea…
Meanwhile, I don’t have any wise or inspirational or motivational words for the New Year, nor do I have any resolutions. It’s all I can do to cross one thing off my to-do list each day. That’s resolution enough for me.
But I can leave you with a photo of some sheep.
There’s a walk hubby and I like to take high above the rolling hills of the Dorset countryside when we want to clear our heads. The path, after endless rain and wind and short, dark days, looked like this and perfectly describes where I stand just about now ~
Stuck In Mud
(c) Sherri Matthews Minterne Magna, Dorset Dec 2015
The view on one side of the path looks like this and describes what I need to do ~
Just Breathe
(c) Sherri Matthews Dec 2015
And on the other side are the sheep which make me smile ~
Hope & Expectation
(c) Sherri Matthews Dec 2015
Intrigued by the lone black sheep and wanting a photo, I walked up to the fence as close as I could get amongst the brambles, but another sheep, seemingly just as intrigued by us, ambled across the field right up to the fence and stole centre stage.
We stared at one another like this for a few minutes. I adore her sweet face. In fact, I almost want to cry just looking at it, because something about her expression reminds me not to give up, to keep hopeful expectation alive in my heart, to press on and keep walking on that muddy path until the sun shines again. Which it will.
And it means I do have a New Year message to send you after all: May your 2016 be filled with hopeful expectation no matter how much mud you have to wade through to get to your field of sheep.
See you as soon as I can.
Love Sherri xxx
A View From My Summerhouse 
She does have a sweet face…
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🙂
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Aw…he’s so cute! I could stare at him all day. Happy New Year, Sherri! Feeling in a bit of a funk myself, hence the silence to your email. I’ll be in touch soon. ❤
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So sorry to hear that Jill. I hope to hear from you soon, take care, big hugs… ❤ xo
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This made me smile, Sherri, for so many reasons. I’m always a day late and a dollar short too. Just always a little behind. The hopeful look on that face was heart wrenching. But trudging through the muck to reach your field of sheep was a grin starter. Have a wonderful new year and may we all have so much wonder in our lives that we never catch up with it all. Happy New Year, dear heart. Happy New Year.
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Ha, I think that’s my motto too Marlene, a day late and a dollar short 😉 So lovely to hear from you, thank you so much for sharing your smiles with me, and I’m glad that my muddy walk and hopeful sheep made you smile too 🙂 Wonderment should never fade should it? May your 2016 be filled with it…
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What a fabulous “backyard”! I would spend hours walking along those hills with my dog, Zeke! He would be in heaven as much as I…
That sheep’s face just drew me in. What is it about their faces that is so adorable? Lovely, just lovely.
I know I’m repeating myself, but in my defense, it wasn’t on YOUR blog… so Happy New Year my new friend! xo
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Hello lovely new friend! And I’ll take another Happy New Year anytime, and the very same to you from my Summerhouse 🙂 I was just so taken with its face Dale, so sweet. And yes, you and your Zeke (great name!) would love it there. A great walk for humans and dogs. I love walking, but we don’t have a dog at the moment, just two cats, a rabbit and my daughter has Chinese Button Quails 😉 Have a wonderful weekend, see you soon! xo
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It really was the sweetest. I would have certainly spent hours gazing into its eyes!
Zeke is a great dog, Sherri. He really gets me to get off my duff and out into the fresh air. Chinese Button Quails as pets? Whoa!!
Have a lovely week-end yourself! xo
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Yes, me too! Haha…’off my duff’. Love it! Yes, a family of them! Thankfully they’re kept safe from the cats 😉 Thanks Dale…catch up with you next week! xo
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Hi Dale, I hope you get this in your notification button. I just left comments on your weekly coffee share and Friday Fictioneer posts but they didn’t show for some strange reason 😦 I hope they didn’t go to spam…
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Happy New Year Sheeri. What a beautiful county Dorset is, (Both of my parents were born in Weymouth). I love the sheep’s little face, how very sweet. 🙂
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Ahh, thank you Judy, and a very Happy New Year to you too! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Lovely to see you again. I know Weymouth very well, not far from us at all, and yes, Dorset is so beautiful. I’m glad you liked the sheep’s face too, you can see why I had to share! Have a lovely weekend and I’ll be over to you soon! 🙂
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You are always welcome at my blog Sherri, and it is always a pleasure hearing from you 🙂
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Sherri, Here’s to a better year ahead. I love the last line of your post. I can see it becoming one of those “famous expressions”!!
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Thank you so much Bev, your encouragement helps greatly 🙂 Hahah…maybe I should make it my byline!!! 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
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Beautiful photos, Sherri. I love your New Year message. Happy New Year to you. May it be filled with joy and peace and blessings in abundance. 🙂 ❤
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Thank you so much Sylvia, and joy, peace and abundant blessings to you too. There might be a lot of mud sometimes, but so long as we keep moving one foot in front of the other, we’ll get there! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂 ❤
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I love weather like that. I am so jelly 😠
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I hope you enjoyed this cyber walk 🙂
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And Happy new Year to you too Sherri. What a beautiful post. One of my most memorable “holidays” in England was a week in Devon when my children were small. We stayed in a small cottage through the kitchen window of which could be seen sheep-dotted fields sweeping up a sloping hill. Your words and photos remind me of that kind of English-countryside beauty. Great photos and good inspiration for me as I reflect on my sketchy blogging this last year. Cheers!
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Happy New Year Jeanne! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. I’m so glad you enjoyed this reminder of your holiday in Devon, thank you! I did miss the English countryside very much (and weather!) when I lived in CA, although of course San Luis Obispo county, where we lived, held its own brand of ‘big sky’ beauty for me, which I fondly remember 😉 I look forward to catching up properly with you, I hope to get back into the swing of things with blogging and writing very soon and I hope you too find your balance. It’s not easy is it? Meanwhile, have a wonderful weekend and cheers to you! 🙂
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I love the analogy! Here’s to trudging through the mud to reach dry pastures. You’ll get there Sherri, I’m sure of it. You are one tough cookie 🙂
See you later ❤
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Thanks Jude…sometimes I don’t feel so tough though! But yes, here’s to 2016 being the year we both reach those dry pastures 🙂 I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. Looks like we’re in for colder weather next week. Snow do you think? Hmmm…I should be careful what I wish for!!! Have a lovely weekend Jude and see you soon! 🙂 ❤
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I love your message and it came at just the right time. You and I will not lose hope of things working out just the way they should!
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I’m so glad Donna. We won’t lose hope, no we won’t, and we will keep moving forward, leaving all that mud far behind. 2016…here we come, starting with blessings to you for a wonderful weekend 🙂
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I feel there must be a mid-winter song called ‘Stuck in Mud Blues’ [there just HAS to be a song for every state of being doesn’t there?] But you have the antidotes – there is hope, there are smiling sheep and there is time. Just breathe your way through and let it be. You know that this too shall pass and very soon you shall be walking with that spring in your step and grinning like a sheep again. Hugs and warmth and light xoxo
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Haha…that sounds about right! In fact, wait, what’s that playing on the radio…? 😉 Ahh, dear Pauline, you bring your wonderful warmth and light to me and my Summerhouse with perfect timing, thank you so much. You are right; hope brings smiles back where they belong. In fact, I can feel one creeping across my face with every word I type 🙂 Hugs back to you, have a lovely weekend! xoxo
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The sheep DO make me smile, Sherri! As does seeing a New Years post from you 🙂 Happy New Year and may it be full of smiles and more awesome sheep moments ❤
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Hi Christy! I’ve missed you, how lovely to see you here at the Summerhouse, and a very Happy New Year to you! Thank you so much…awesome sheep moments make the world go round 😀 Take care, have a wonderful weekend and see you soon 🙂 ❤
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I know I should be partial to the black sheep–since I was often accused of being the black sheep of our family when I was in my 20s–but the white sheep scene stealer caught my attention on Facebook and still holds it now. I like its push-ahead moxie and willingness to participate, qualities I appreciated whenever my favorite aunt said I had them.
2016 is welcoming us both, late but still welcoming us, Sherri! 🙂
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Nothing like feeling like the black sheep of the family… But ‘ moxie’…now that’s a word I haven’t heard in a while, and it’s a word I love! I just shared on Jill’s post that my word for this year is ‘courage’ but I’m definitely adding ‘moxie’ to it 🙂 That’s great your favourite aunt said that to you, a wonderful self-esteem boost and no doubt just what you needed at just the right time. Definitely a message in this white sheep’s expression, one to hold on to for the coming year. Late, yes, but better late than never, and welcome indeed! Here’s to a wonderful 2016 for us both dear Marylin, as we keep hope and expectation alive in our hearts each and every day 🙂 ❤
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To start the new year off with sheep is a very pleasant thing. Happy 2016 to you and yours!
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I’m glad you think so to BT! Thank you so much…wishing the very same to you! 🙂
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These sheep and your comments about them moved me more than all the resolutions and New Year inspiration I’ve seen. xoxo
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Who would have thought a smiling sheep could inspire so much? Big hugs to you Luanne…wow…thank you… xoxo ❤
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xoxoxo
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That white sheep looks solo cute. She looks rather lonely, and maybe was very happy to see you. Or perhaps she is cold ❄ Looked like a grey day there but hope you had a good time. Happy New Year, Sherri. Best wishes to you. I don’t have any resolutions, just taking life as it comes along 😊
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She was in a field with lots of other sheep, so hopefully not lonely and thankfully those sheep have very thick fur coats which is just as well as I’ve just heard we’re in for a cold snap! I’m with you about taking life as it comes. Thank you for your kind wishes, a very Happy New Year to you too dear Mabel, I hope 2016 is kind to you in every way. I will be over to you soon to catch your latest…meanwhile, have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
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been thinking of you- and not too late for the happy new year -not at all! That last photo grabbed me too – even before I read the text – but then reading the text added more –
have a great weekend and talk to you soon-
love ya so much mon amie
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Never too late mon amie, the Summerhouse is open day and night, every day of the year and always so lovely to visit with you 🙂 Thank you so much for your email, and your message and for checking in. I’ll reply after the weekend and hope you are enjoying a good, restful few days. Love ya back, talk soon! 🙂 ❤
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your cup of tea is waiting with coolios and flies – and some California sandwiches (just because) ❤
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I can’t wait…heading over now… 😀 ❤
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and sending a hug!
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❤ 🙂 Thank you!!! xoxo
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Taking life one day at a time is a good way to live – I’m trying hard this year to ‘be in the moment’ as I’ll often fluster away in my thoughts to other things that need doing, worry about someone or something. I love the sheep, it’s definitely trying to tell you something. Wishing you a very peaceful year filled with joy, Sherri. 😀
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Hello dear Annika! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you too. Oh I am just the same, my mind going off in all directions and I get overwhelmed, always worrying about this and that, trying to do everything and ending up doing not much at all…vicious circle isn’t it? Your ‘living in the moment’ advice is something I also need to embrace. I was mesmerised by the sheep’s hopeful, gentle and expectant expression. Something to think of when trudging through the mud 😉 Have a lovely weekend, and wrap up, I hear we’re in for a cold snap! 🙂 xxx
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Sherri, it’s not easy to stop this ‘vicious circle’ I agree. Small steps I think and accept there will be days where things don’t all gel.I loved the look of your walk and the ‘soulful’ sheep. As for the weather, I think the cold snap started this morning with sunny and frost, however I do prefer this to the previous horrid rain.Take good care of yourself. :-))
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Yes, you are absolutely right Annika, definitely small steps. And yes, it is definitely getting colder isn’t it? Let’s hope a break from so much rain. Thank you again so much 🙂
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Thanks for the New Year greetings, Sherri – I hope you get out of the quagmire soon…..Happy New Year to you and yours!
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Hi Sue! Thank you, and the same to you! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I look forward to catching up with you properly, as soon as I leave the quagmire behind! Meanwhile, I hope you have a lovely weekend 🙂
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😀😀
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Sheep are usually so scared of human contact. This one was definitely relating to you. What a moving post Sherri that gives us all hope, as we wrestle with all the mud and quagmire of life. This time will pass and maybe we will find the gem and inspiration to never give up hope of better things.
Just breathe and pause. Thank you for sharing your heart. Sent with love M xxx
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Yes, that’s what I thought! I was more than pleasantly surprised when this sheep appeared as it did, and so friendly and inquisitive! Definitely a message there. Everytime I look at her sweet face, I smile and that alone brings hope doesn’t it? Thank you for your lovely words dear MP…may 2016 be filled with the gem of inspiration and joyful celebrations for us both. Much love & Hugs ❤ xxx
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Hi Sherri – happy new year. You sound as if yours hasn’t got off to a particularly good start so I’m hoping the pause for breath will help you to navigate through the sludge. Bless you. Hoping things improve soon for you. I’m taking a step back from blogging – that’s not to say that I won’t be dropping in on my faves but I’m not going to bust a gut trying to post every week or two…
Maybe I’ll email soon for a chat. Take care xx
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Hi Jenny, happy new year to you too! I’ve been thinking of you, I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Ahh…thank you, but I’m okay, it’s just I’ve got so much to do, admin ‘stuff’, people to chase, appointments, you know how it is. Just life. Yes, do email, it will be great to chat and catch up. I’m so relieved that you aren’t disappearing from blogging altogether, I would miss you terribly. I am going to have to cut back if I am ever to get my book finished. Haven’t touch the revisions and edits since before Christmas needless to say… Thanks so much for popping into the Summerhouse, and when you do blog, you know I’ll be over to your pad, with bells on! Hope 2016 is a great year for you my friend. Talk soon 🙂 xxx
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Happy New Year to you and the family Sherri. What a splendid view you have on one of your walking routes. The serenity of the landscape shines through the picture and I can imagine just standing there and taking a deep breath. I certainly agree with you when it comes to dealing with “behind the blog” stuff. Sometimes we simply have to take some time to deal with life. Hope you have a wonderful (and relaxing) weekend.
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Hi Heather, I just left a comment on your blog and then I saw your comment here! This is a favourite walk of ours, in all weathers, except perhaps when it is very cold, it being high up as you can see and the wind cuts right across. But yes, it is a great place to just stop and breathe. It was such a blessing to see the sheep ‘smile’ at us, I couldn’t take my eyes off her 🙂 Yes, it is one of those times when I really need to get some things in order and then hopefully return to full steam, and of course to my book revisions. This has to be the year, right? Thank you Heather, and you too, have a wonderful, relaxing weekend too! 🙂
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Hello, Sherri! I was just commenting on Jill’s post how I haven’t jumped on the resolution/goal bandwagon as of yet. I haven’t felt inspired to look within and set goals. Like you, I’m just taking it day by day depending on how I feel. I have some ideas as to what I want to work on but I’m not putting any pressure on myself to come up with any life altering resolutions. And that’s ok, right? You keep reaching your daily goals as best you can knowing that it’s enough for now. 🙂
That white sheep is definitely trying to tell us something! 🙂
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Hi Maria! Lovely to hear from you, Happy New Year to you my friend! And yes, that’s all more than okay!!! I am my own worst enemy, I need to remember that too, to take each day, one at a time…and remember the sweet message in the smile on the Sheep’s face 🙂 Have a lovely weekend 🙂 xo
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The perfect message for the New Year. I will put on my boots and keep slogging on thru the mud to reach that sunny pasture! 🙂 Such a wise looking sheep and loved the photos. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Hello and thank you my dear friend…let’s slog through the mud together and smile with the sweet sheep along the way to our sunny pasture 🙂 And let’s look to 2016 as a year of abundant blessings ❤ ❤ ❤ xoxo
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😀 😀 Indeed a sweet little face.
Happy New Year, Sherri. ❤
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Hi Tess, and a very Happy New Year to you too! Catch up soon… 🙂 ❤ 🙂
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Hard to catch up. Impossible, in fact. I’ll just jump in an hope to cause no damage. 😀 😀
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You? Damage? Never!!! ❤ 😀 ❤
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Resolutions are like life, things change too quickly for a real plan to be implemented that’s my excuse for not bothering again although there are some things I do wish to do and expect to do throughout the year.
I lovee the sheep’s smile and the message it conveys, never give up but feel free to ask your blogging friends for support if you need it, we are here for you my friend. I hope you manage to achieve all you wish this year and that you get some new wellies for all that mud!
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Yes, I know just what you mean…and yes, it is still good to have goals. Must press on. Ahh…that’s so sweet, thank you, like the sheep’s smile! 🙂 But don’t worry, I’ve got a good, sturdy pair of wellies and I’m getting there, one muddy step at a time! Have a wonderful weekend my friend…
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Your comment on straggling reminds me of the time I joined a walking club. Our first outing was a woodland refuge near my home and the trail was mucky, but spring was emerging. I stopped to look at nesting birds and flowers poking up from the moist soil. The leader kept telling me to “hurry up.” By the end of the walk I knew this was the wrong group for me. I like to straggle through life and look for the unexpected…like the sweet face of a sheep to lend support. Hopeful expectation is a beautiful sentiment for 2016. Let’s be expectant of good things even though the trail is mired. Cheers to stragglers!
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Now why am I not surprised, I can see you now, that curious, nature-loving straggler, taking in your surroundings, wanting to stop and literally, smell the roses. How annoying to be told to move on!!! Oh Charli, too bad we couldn’t have joined that walking club together, we would look for those bird’s nests and flowers and get told off together 😉 Hopeful Expectation it is, and here’s to the fulfillment of all our writing dreams and goals, no matter how much mire and muck we have to trail through to get there. I think we need to form a sub-group over at the Ranch: The Straggling Rebels 🙂 Thanks for walking with me… have a wonderful weekend my friend ❤
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Ha, ha! I like that — The Straggling Rebels! ❤
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😀
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Happy New Year, Sherri, and no apologies needed for a slow start – it’s all down to the muddy paths with all the rain we’ve been having.
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Thank you Anne, and Happy New Year to you too. Yes, we’ve had more than enough rain haven’t we, but I hear we’re in for a cold snap at long last. Maybe even some snow. Will have to be careful not to slip if that’s the case 😉 Have a lovely weekend…
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Oh sweetheart! Surely sounds like you are needing hugs right now. It’s an uphill struggle, but if you’re crossing anything off your to do list you’re a good step ahead of me! The breakthrough will come, Sherri. I know that you have good support and encouragement with this. I followed you here from Jill’s page (guilty conscience- oh,heck- there’s Sherri! Haven’t been to see her yet this YEAR!!!) and she has good experience to help you. I can only send feeble hugs and well wishes 🙂
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Ahh Jo, no worries, I understand, and I’m always up for plenty of hugs – and yours are far from feeble! One thing off the list is a good thing…at least it shows something getting done! I will catch up with you on Monday and hope to start to get back on track. I am so very grateful for all the wonderful support and encouragement. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend lovely Jo, and thank you for everything 🙂 xx
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Hi Jo, I hope you get this on your notification button. I tried to leave a comment on your post from Monday but it didn’t show up, same on a few others 😦 I’m wondering if it went to spam. This has happened a few times before as you know, hopefully will be sorted soon…
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Happy New Year to you Sherri. I hope you find the time to ‘just breathe’. You always bring a sense of hopeful expectation from the summerhouse to us Sherri, so I hope you continue to feel that yourself 🙂
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Happy New Year to you Andrea! Lovely to see you again in blogland. Ahh…thank you so much…I’m moving forward…slowly 🙂
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Hi Sherri. I hope you’re okay my friend. I think many of us are feeling that darned full moon thingee that’s been lingering around the planet. Don’t forget to breathe and don’t allow your feelings of being overwhelmed take over! One step at a time. A book can suck a lot out of you, trust me. ❤ Some days it feels as though life is piling up on us, but then the sun shines again. xo 🙂
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Oh Debby, is that it, the full moon? That explains an awful lot! Thank you so much, and how you know all about it my friend. A vicious circle isn’t it? Overthinking, panicking, feeling overwhelmed, and then…freezing. And life on top of it. Doesn’t it realise we have books to write?!! I hope the sun is shining for you in beautiful Arizona, and I’ll keep an eye out for it here in Jolly England…and here’s to a fresh start, another week 🙂 ❤ xo
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Oh yes Sherri, let’s start out with a fresh approach. This planet thing is taxing. Even though I’m away,. I’ve yet to feel relaxed worrying about so much that’s going on at home, and my hub hasn’t been well here, so I’m conversing with doctors by email. It’s a reminder that above all crap that comes our way, nothing is a priority as our health. We need to remember gratitude for that to help ease the other obstacles. Trust me, I’ve got plenty of obstacles here, and other than the sanctity of dropping into mine and other blogs, my book writing has been nil! I’m trying to get a routine going here but as of yet I’m still dealing with the gremlins that followed me here. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. ❤
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Oh Debby, I’m so sorry to hear this, I do hope your hub is doing better now and you got hold of your doctors. You are so right, our health is priceless. Oh I hope those darn gremlins leave you alone and disappear so you can get on with your book and relax as you so hoped. Life is a challenge for sure. Again, you are right, we need to focus on what is most important and not let all that other crap overwhelm us. I’m heading over to your blog now to catch up with you, and hope that you are feeling a little less stressed my dear friend. Big hugs to you from me ❤ xoxo
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Thanks so much Sherri. Is it possible you and I have the same gremlins chasing us? LOL ❤
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Methinks that could well be the case Debby…time to send them packing, had just about enough… ! ❤
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Amen! ❤
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Love your post, Sherri, but I feel for you also. I hope you can manage to tick one thing off your list each day. Some days are more difficult than others, I know. So many demands competing with each other. I love your final statement wishing a field of sheep await us, regardless of the mud. I’d love to see that photo with the words as a image so I can pin it. It’s very inspirational. I hope you find some balance and sense of achievement before too much of our “new” year gets away. 🙂
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Oh Norah, thank you so much, you are always so encouraging and you always make me smile. I am feeling a little more forward than when I posted this, lifting those boots out of the mire one step at a time 🙂 You’ve encouraged me before about putting text on photos. I’m still not on Instagram or Pinterest, but I did this for you, hope you like it 🙂
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Oh, Sherri, I do! I love it! You are very clever. I am pleased your thoughts are lifting you higher and out of the mire. (The situation’s dire, I want to add tire, but that would take the whole rhyming thing just a bit too far!) Best wishes for carefree days gamboling in the field of sheep! May the sun shine on your back and never in your eyes. 🙂
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Haha…sounds like a great poem to me! Maybe a bit of rap thrown into the mix too 😀 Ahh…what lovely sentiments, you are quite the poet today Norah, thank you so much, and also for inspiring me to make the photo with text, which also thank you so much for sharing on Twitter! I might get carried away now, you never know…and then, hey, perhaps even start gamboling with carefree abandon through those fields…not impossible…and I love the warmth of the sunshine on my back. Big hugs to you my friend 🙂
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I can be so flippant at times. I just get carried away! I can see a whole series of sheep wisdom by Sherri (dare I say, sheep wisdom by ewe! Or maybe for ewe. That would work!)
Gamboling sounds such fun! As soon as your book is published, before you begin the next project, there has to be time for some gamboling! Enjoy. Hugs back. xo
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Haha…’Ewe’ crack me up Norah! I’m up for some gamboling any day of the week, let’s go 🙂 xo
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🙂
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And BTW, meant to say, you are never flippant Norah, and I love it when you get carried away…bring it on 😀
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You’re so sweet! Must be all that clover out in the field! 🙂
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😀
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I love sheep. Great photo at the end there. Happy New Year to you Sherri and I hope 2016 is a good one.
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Thank you Rachel…Happy New Year to you too, from me and the smiling sheep! 🙂
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What a lovely place to escape to, Sherri. I can see why Hubby and you take long walks there. Don’t worry about the mud. It will soon dry up and disappear into dust. Then, no doubt, we’ll have a hosepipe ban!
Belated Happy New Year to you and the family. May 2016 bring you all peace, good health and much happiness.
xx
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It’s beautiful there Hugh, you and Toby would love it, so long as you both wore wellies 😉 Haha…yes, I love your thinking, all or nothing lately isn’t it? It’s supposed to be colder too. I wonder if we are in for snow at long last? Thank you so much, and the very same Happy New wishes to you and your family also. Your kindness and friendship means a great deal to me…here’s to a good 2016 for us all 🙂
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Dearest Sherri, that’s a wonderful sheep analogy and so very true. And I agree with you about the expression on the sheep’s face. It’s much pluckier than the average sheep that runs for its life at sight of a camera!
I’ve already wished you a happy New Year, but I’ll do it again just to reinforce it. Love and hugs fo you, my dear friend xxxxx
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Yes, that’s what I thought Sarah! Normally they are very skitterish aren’t they? I didn’t expect to see such a friendly, openly inquisitive and yes, happy-looking sheep up there on such a wet and windy day! Ahh…yes, but I’ll take as many of those wishes as I can, and also again, sending the very same to you my dear friend. Hopeful expectation it is! 🙂 Love and hugs right back to you dearest Sarah xxxx
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Happy New Year to you too, Sherri!! That looks like a beautiful place to escape from the world. Wish you all the best 🙂 xxx
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Happy New Year to you too dear Ellie! It is so peaceful up there, except for when the wind whips up a storm! I hope all is well with you and I wish you a year ahead filled with every good thing, and I will see you soon! 🙂 xxx
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I don’t know whether I’ve said it here or not, Sherri, in fact, I can’t even remember who, when and where I HAVE actually said it now, it seems so long ago (!) but never mind… Happy New Year!
And that sheep does look as though she’s transmitting a message, doesn’t she? Very cute.
Keep on keeping on, and all that!
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No matter, never hurts to say it again…Happy New Year to you too! There, I said it again too 😀 I can’t believe how already Christmas seems so very far away and now almost the middle of January!! I’m glad you like the sheep too, I was so taken with her sweet face 🙂 Haha..yes, thanks Tom, we’ll keep on keeping on..and I’ll catch up with you asap!!
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Isn’t lofe strange sometimes? We’re either inundated, or bereft. Don’t you just love it? 😀
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See how strange my life is? Apparently, I’m living a lofe….oh, dear! 😀
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Haha…Lofe…life…we’re living it, that’s what counts 😀
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You are so right! x
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Ahh Julie, tell me about it!!! Life’s rich pattern and all that…but here we are! I hope 2016 brings you nothing but the best in everything… 🙂 xx
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Happy New Year Sherri! I enjoyed this. The expression on the sheep’s face is priceless. God often ministers to us through adorable creatures such as these. Here is to hopeful expectation and not too much mud. 😉
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Happy New Year Lilka, and thank you so much! I believe that too, definitely, God’s ministry through nature is a most beautiful blessing. And always just when we need help navigating all that sludge 🙂
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🙂
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Sherri, Happy New Year! Your post was so spot on. Mud is always lurking somewhere nearby and wading through it is just no fun. But you are right, that sheep’s face does seem to bring encouragement. What is it about that expression? It looks stalwart and determined to me. Great catch, awesome post.
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Hi Susan, and a Happy New Year to you too! Thank you so much, I’m glad you found encouragement from the sweet sheep’s expression too…and I like that: ‘stalwart and determined’. That sheep wasn’t going anywhere! And normally they are quite skitterish! A message to remember as the year grows 🙂
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Beautiful post and beautiful images,Sherri, Happy New Year!With love maxima
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Thank you so much dear Maxima…Happy New Year and love to you too! 🙂
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lovely photos and cute sheep. happy 2016 to you.
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Thank you Sherry, so glad you enjoyed them, and a happy 2016 to you too! 🙂
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Happy New Year. Lots of mud and not much sun here at the moment but I live in hope 🙂
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Happy New Year Marie…sunny today, hope for you too. But still a fair amount of sludge. I’m having trouble commenting on blogs – again!!!
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Mud everywhere but we have had some sun so it’s not all bad 🙂
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Yay for the sun drying up the mud, that’s what we need. Have a lovely weekend Marie, I’ll be over to asap 🙂
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Know what you mean, Sherri. Takes a little to get me going these days, as well. Hope your New Year and the days ahead are full of love, hope and plenty of sunshine.
Soon, you’ll be writing away in that summer house of yours, with the smell of flowers abound, having worked through all the challenges of days past. It’s not that far off and won’t be long. God bless and a Happy New Year! 🙂
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Ahh dear Pat, I hold you to that thought…any day now, that is my vision! 🙂 Although today I’m having WP issues…never a dull moment eh? Thank you so much, and I hope for you the very same…here’s to all that love and hope and sunshine for us both, and God Bless you too 🙂
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Yep, that’s what keeps us going, Sherri. Any day now and it’ll be clear sailing, my friend (haha) — keep saying it and it will happen. Love and hugs. 🙂
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Thanks Pat…I’ll take clear sailing any day of the week! Love & hugs to you too 🙂
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Have a great weekend, Sherri. Any time you want to Skype, let me know. It would be fun to connect like that. Take care. 🙂
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Awww, how sweet to have a “moment” with her! He?
Good message! And here I am, an even worse straggler! 5 days later!!
Happy New Year to you!
Melinda
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I’m assuming a her since no horns, haha 🙂 No worries Melinda, always a pleasure to hear from you no matter what day (or night)! Thank you , and a very Happy New Year to you too!
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hee hee I’m having a great year so far! How’s yours going?
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Glad to hear it Melinda…mine…well, lots of mud still, but I’m hopeful 😉 Have a lovely weekend!
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Sherri, hopefully things clear up soon!
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Thanks Melinda…they always do! The Lord’s mercies are new every morning 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend, see you as soon as WP sort out my commenting problem!
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Yes, God does work all things out for our good, even if it hurts at the time.
I hope they get it straight soon. Don’t make ME have to talk to them! lol
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Thanks Melinda…think it’s sorted out now, phew!!! LOL 😀
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YAY!! I’m so glad.
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And what a lovely and unique message for us it is, Sherri! In return, hope those clouds clear, and the sun shines on you for the rest of the year. 😊 Happy 2016!
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Thank you so much Ali, I hope the very same for you, may 2016 bring you abundandant joy and blessings 🙂
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Haha! 😀 “Meanwhile, I don’t have any wise or inspirational or motivational words for the New Year, nor do I have any resolutions. It’s all I can do to cross one thing off my to-do list each day. That’s resolution enough for me.” The New Year’s Eve Scrooge is with you. Let’s crack a bottle of wine and toast one thing checked of our list. Then we can write a naughty swearing post. LOL!
Beautiful photos. Funny that I love that sheep photo and the message you have with it is perfect (timely for me) yet have always been told (in a sort-of joking way) and felt that I am the black sheep of the family. I’ll take the one who hung out with you, giving you hope. Beautiful. Happy New Year, lovely lady. ❤
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Yep, and he’s still sitting right next to me as I type, making me say all those naughty swear words too, LOL 😀 Sarah, you crack me up, I love it! I’m glad this is timely for you lovely lady. Remember the smiling, sweet sheep; she knows and understands and says it’ll be alright and this is a new year…and it will be happy, Scrooge or not, for us both 🙂 Has to be… ❤
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Hi Sherri. Happy New Year. Sorry I haven’t had the time to pop round your blog for a while, like you I have been very bogged down, in my case with work, blogging, just existing, etc, etc. I love that sheep too, so sweet, what a face! I need a sheep like that in my life too to spur me on!! Keep on going Sherri, and keep on smiling. 🙂
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Hi Marje, thank you so much for your lovely message, Happy New Year to you too! I very much appreciate you taking the time to visit the Summerhouse when you have been so bogged down too. It’s so tough isn’t it? I have been very lax in visiting other blogs and seem to be on permanent catch up. I hope we can both remember this sweet sheep’s face as we wade through the mud to achieve our writing goals. Your warm, kind words bring me big smiles this Friday, bless you and I hope you have a lovely weekend and I’ll see you soon 🙂 xx
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Thank you Sherri have a lovely weekend and hope to catch up soon. 🙂 xx
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Thank you Marje, definitely! 🙂 xx
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Hi Sherr, I’m back again. Finally your blog page opened, it wasn’t working. I left you a message on your FB page and then tried to come back here again and got it. I wanted you to check out my latest post, as I’ve mentioned you in the post. ❤ http://dgkayewriter.com/heres-girllovechallenge-followers-inspire-you-famous-woman-dealing-negativity-daily-basis-followers-inspire-real-life-woman-interact-with-tag-women-bloggers-love-compliment-love-them/
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Hi Debby, yay, you found me! Just saw your message over on my FB page and replied and now will head over to your blog, but if I can’t comment you’ll know why, thanks to WP gremlins. I hope that doesn’t happen again with my blog page not opening 😦 Thank you so much! 🙂 ❤ xoxo
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Hi again Debby, as I thought, my comment disappeared, probably gone to your spam which is what’s happened before, what a pain 😦 Hopefully it’s there and you can set it and me free and then I should be able to comment on your blog again. And hopefully akismet fix this soon! Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
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Hi Sherri. These Wp gremlins are sure getting the best of quite a few of us lately it seems. I hope you get a chance to read the post. 🙂
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Yes, I don’t know what’s going on, but akismet are on it! I really need to get my post up, I’m falling way behind. I hope I don’t disappear again! 😮 And I did read your wonderful post, thank you so much! I left a comment but it disappeared as I thought it would 😦 And I realise I said ‘award’ but of course it’s a challenge, and I was so humbled and touched by the lovely things you said about us all, and with some great blogs to visit. You are really such a wonderful and lovely lady dear Debby. You always bring smiles and joy to my day. Thank you so much 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend my friend ❤ xoxo
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Oh Sher, I’m sorry your having so many tech probs. Don’t fret my friend, do what you need to do, nobody’s going anywhere! 🙂
I didn’t get your comment, so I guess the gremlins are at work. I will paste part of your response here to the comments for you. 🙂
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You know Debby, I love how you call me Sher 🙂 Only one other person has ever called me that, my one time best friend from my younger years. We lost touch many years ago sadly… so you’ve touched a good nerve there for me, thank you! ❤ And that's a great idea to paste from here. I'll head over and see if I can add to it 🙂 xo
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Oh, I’m glad to hear that. I have a huge tendency to nickname friends and shorten their names. I took the liberty because it felt right, but so glad I got your approval. ❤
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You were/are spot on Debby…I love your intuition! ❤ xoxo
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❤
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